Employee Safety Handbook
Introduction
The aim of this Handbook is to introduce employees to health and safety risks commonly
found within builders’ merchant operations and provide guidance in the prevention of
accidents and ill health.

Most places of work can be made safer if simple rules on hygiene, tidiness and safety awareness
are followed.

• Respect the company’s NO smoking policy
• Restrict smoking to areas and times
designated by management. Smoking
material should only be disposed of in a
specified metal container
• Always wash your hands after handling any
hazardous substance or going to the toilet
and before eating or drinking
• Always use the towel or air driers to dry your
hands
• Use barrier cream for dirty jobs and skin care
after washing your hands
• Mop up any liquid spillage and clear rubbish
from gangways immediately
• Keep your working area tidy
• Ensure that rubbish or dust does not
accumulate causing a fire hazard
• Ensure fire exits are kept clear at all times
and check periodically that fire doors operate
correctly
• Immediately report any holes or unevenness
in floors, gangways, stairs etc. which might
cause people to trip or fall
• Immediately remove cut banding and nails
from any opened packages and place in the
waste container
• Remove rings or any loose clothing/strands to
avoid them being caught in any moving parts
ALWAYS follow ‘safety working procedures in
line with information, instruction and training
provided’.

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Employee Safety Handbook

• Smoke in areas or at times where smoking is
prohibited
• Distract someone operating a machine
• Fool around or play practical jokes in the
workplace
• Leave tools around where they can be
damaged, tripped over or fall
• Obstruct gangways, walkways and stairs
• Trail cables where they might cause people
to trip
• Eat, drink or smoke when handling hazardous
substances
• Leave spillages untreated where they might
cause people to slip
• Leave packaging bands trailing from stock or
lying around
• Allow rubbish to accumulate in your working
area
• Walk on fragile surfaces e.g. roofs
NEVER operate any equipment or undertake
any task unless adequately trained and
authorised.

Customer and visitor safety

• Oversee visitor activities e.g. politely ask
pedestrians to use designated walkways
and request drivers of vehicles to park in
designated areas. Ensure children are kept
under appropriate supervision by parents
• Dissuade public from straying unaccompanied
into goods storage and yard areas
• Escort customers to stacks and ensure materials
for self-selection can always be retrieved
without risk
• Be available to move customers’ goods, take it
to and load their vehicle

• Allow unauthorised customers or visitors into
hazardous and restricted areas
• Permit customers to use or ride on any plant
or equipment
• Allow customers to climb on stacks of
materials or racks
• Encourage customers to help themselves in
non self-selection areas
• Allow visitors to wander around
unaccompanied

• Keep customers clear of any hazardous areas

Priority health and safety issues

Employers have responsibility for the safety and well being of customers and visitors on site.
If you see unsafe situations offer the customer or visitor assistance, support and advice.

Even small fires can quickly get out of control, and put people and property at risk.

• Ensure visitors/customers do not smoke in
prohibited areas
• Ensure escape routes are always kept clear
• Ensure all emergency exits are unlocked at the
start of each working day
• If you discover a fire, first raise the alarm and
then only if you have received training and it
is safe to do so, try to put out the fire using a
suitable fire extinguisher
• Keep working areas clean and free from
combustible rubbish

• Smoke in prohibited areas
• Overload electrical circuits
• Obstruct fire exit doors
• Burn rubbish on site or allow combustibles to
build up in rear areas of the premises
• Use, or allow others to use, welding or cutting
equipment unless the work is controlled using
“Permit to Work” procedure – Check with
your Manager/Supervisor
• Stack flammable materials next to perimeter
fences

• Switch off and unplug electrical equipment
when not in use, and before the branch closes
• Ensure that flammable liquids are stored safely
• Follow the fire drill should the alarm sound
• Read and understand the notice ‘Action in the
Event of Fire’

Employee Safety Handbook

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Manual handling

Priority health and safety issues

Unnecessary or incorrect handling can cause injury, in particular to the back.

• Use mechanical lifting aids such as sack
trolleys, pallet trucks and lift trucks to move
goods
• If goods have to be manually moved,
examine and assess the load, its centre of
gravity, stability, weight etc. and determine
your ability to move the goods safely
• If you need assistance – call for help
• Report any back problems you have to
management
• When lifting:
– Plan the lift/handling activity, where the
load is to be placed, remove obstruction
from route to prevent slip, trips and falls
– Keep the load close to the waist for as long
as possible when lifting. Keep the heaviest
side of the load next to the body
– Adopt a stable position. The feet should
be apart with one leg slightly forward to
maintain balance
– Ensure a good hold on the load. Where
possible hug the load as close to the body
as possible
– Moderate flexion (slight bending) of the
back, hips and knees at the start of the
lift, is preferable to fully flexing the back
(stooping) or fully flexing the hips and
knees (full/deep squatting)
– Don’t flex back any further while lifting.
This can happen if the legs start to
straighten before starting to lift the load
– Avoid reaching and twisting. Keep
shoulders and hips facing in the same
direction. Turn by moving the feet
– Keep the head up when handling. Look
ahead, not down at the load once it is
being held securely
– Move smoothly. Do not jerk or snatch the
load
– Always use appropriate personal protective
equipment (PPE) for the task

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Employee Safety Handbook

• Manually handle or lift anything if there are
suitable lifting aids available
• Lift anything beyond your capabilities
• Attempt to carry heavy items down from
racking systems balanced on ladders
• Lift or handle more than can be easily
managed

Access to heights

• Use mechanical access equipment wherever
possible – otherwise use safety steps to access
stock
• Only use ordinary ladders on level floor
surfaces if securely tied or footed by
workmate. Working areas should be
demarcated with cones

• Use mobile plant such as lift truck forks for
gaining access to height unless a proprietary
safety cage is fitted to the lift truck. This
equipment can only be used for short
duration unplanned work in an emergency.
• Overstretch so your body is outside the ladder
frame

• Report defects and ladders in poor condition

• Climb up racking or stacks of material

• Replace any guardrails that were removed to
allow goods to be moved

• Be raised on forks or stillage of any lift truck

• Ensure loading gates on mezzanines are
closed when not in use, and gain access only
by using fixed guarded stairway provided

• Walk on or store materials on any fragile
material or internal roof unless classified as
load bearing and suitable for walking on

Priority health and safety issues

Falls from ladders and step ladders can result in serious injury. You should only use ladders and step
ladders for short duration work where no other means of access is practicable.

Workplace transport

• Use designated pedestrian walkways and
separate entrance doors to warehouse
• Wear high visibility clothing and toe
protectors when entering the yard and
warehouse

• Keep to site speed limits
• Use designated employee parking
• Ensure reversing operations are under
control of trained banksman

Employee Safety Handbook

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Priority health and safety issues

Accidents and near miss reporting

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We take all reasonably practicable steps to prevent accidents but from time to time they may still
occur. When accidents happen and near misses which could result in a serious accident arise it is the
company policy to investigate the underlying cause and take action to prevent re-occurrence.

• If injured, see your First Aider or Manager/
Supervisor

• Regard accidents as inevitable – they can be
avoided

• Ensure details are recorded in the Accident
Book and accident investigation undertaken

• Try to conceal accidents – by knowing, we can
help to prevent them in the future

• If a visitor or customer is injured – persuade
them to have first aid, ensure details are
entered in the Accident Book and obtain a
statement of the circumstances of the event,
with witnesses if possible
• Always report ANY injury/illness that could
affect your ability to work
• Inform your Manager/Supervisor if property,
equipment or stock is damaged

Employee Safety Handbook

Serious injuries can be caused by sparks and fragments being thrown off high speed grinding wheels.

• Always wear safety goggles or a visor
• Ensure tool rests are adjusted as close to
the wheel as possible, guards in place and
correctly adjusted
• Ensure any ventilation extraction system is
switched on and correctly located
• Report any damage or defect immediately to
your Manager/Supervisor

• Fit or dress a grinding wheel unless
certificated and authorised by your Manager/
Supervisor
• Grind on the side of the wheel (unless
designed for this purpose)
• Use a worn or damaged wheel
• Operate the wheel if guards are missing or
damaged

• Follow safe working instructions and training
provided

General health and safety guidance

Abrasive wheels (grinding wheels)

Compressed air
Misuse of compressed air can kill if directed at skin, and flying particles may cause loss of sight.

• Regularly check condition of all air lines and
connections

• Direct compressed air towards yourself or
anyone else

• Ensure a written scheme of examination is in
place for air receivers

• Use compressed air for blowing down
clothing

• Disconnect tools from air line when cleaning
or adjusting

• Use compressed air for blowing off machinery
unless fitted with a safety nozzle

• Report any damage or defects

• Engage in horseplay with compressed air

• When blowing down wear eye protection and
ensure any extraction equipment is turned on
• Preferably use vacuum method to reduce risks
from inhalation of fine dust

• Leave equipment or cables where they may
be run over
• Work on live equipment or cables where they
may be run over
• Work on live equipment or allow others to,
unless authorised to do so
• Use electrical equipment which is damaged
or defective

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Employee Safety Handbook

Whilst every step is taken to eliminate hazardous substances their use is sometimes unavoidable.
Similarly hazardous materials may be sold. As a consequence dangerous substances may be stored
at the premises. These materials may be safely handled provided, instruction on safe storage,
handling and use of personal protective equipment are followed. This information is contained
within material safety data sheets and manufacturers’ labelling information.

• Learn to identify hazardous substances by the
symbols on the container
• Follow precautions set out on the label,
manufacturer data sheet information and
COSHH Assessments
• Always wear protective equipment as
indicated as necessary on supplier safety
information
• Exercise good levels of personal hygiene
• Ensure all containers are securely sealed and
not damaged

• Smoke when handling hazardous substances
• Open a container of hazardous substance
unless absolutely necessary
• Use hazardous substances other than for their
intended purpose
• Use hazardous substances (e.g. white spirit)
to remove paint or grease from your skin
• Transfer hazardous substances to an
unlabelled container

General health and safety guidance

Hazardous substances

• Report any changes in the state of your
health following exposure to any hazardous
substance
• Check with your Manager/Supervisor on
the correct method of disposal of waste and
equipment
• Follow procedure in the event of spillage
• Store larger quantities of flammable and
highly flammable liquid within a metal
bunded store

Employee Safety Handbook

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General health and safety guidance

Noise
Regular exposure to high levels of noise can permanently damage your hearing and lead to deafness.

• Wear hearing protection when advised to do so
• Always ensure protector is clean, undamaged
and correctly fitted
• Ensure noise enclosures are shut
• Keep noise levels as low as possible and
ensure they do not cause a nuisance to others

• Enter an area marked ‘hearing protection
zone’ without ear protection
• Use any personal stereo headphones
anywhere on the premises - not only are
these a noise hazard, they could mask
warning signals

• Follow safe working procedures for the noisy
work equipment and maintenance practices
to reduce noise to the lowest level practicable
• Attend for hearing tests (audiometry) as
required by your employer
• Report hearing difficulties to management

• Slow down for bends and sound the horn or
stop at blind corners
• Only use equipment for the purpose for which
it was intended
• Ensure loads carried are stable
• Ensure loads are not wider than gangways

• Disarm any safety or warning devices fitted
• Attempt to repair faults yourself. Leave to
qualified maintenance person
• Use the fork lift on a Public Highway unless
you know that the fork lift is appropriately
registered and insured

• Watch out for pedestrians and obstructions
• Keep drivers of vehicles that are being loaded
or unloaded clear of lifting operations
• Report pot holes and poor yard surfaces
likely to upset stability of load and cause
overturning
• Keep to speed limits

* By law, if seatbelts are fitted to mobile
plant you must wear them, except where your
company’s health and safety risk assessment
has shown that­:
- There is a need to dismount repeatedly
- The forklift is used on smooth level surfaces
- The forklift is operated at slow speeds and in
ways which make it unlikely that it will
overturn.
If in doubt, check with your manager.

Employee Safety Handbook

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General health and safety guidance

Office safety
Computer screens (VDU’s) do not damage eyesight. Simple precautions should be taken to prevent
eye strain and upper limb disorders.

• Adjust your seat so elbows are at right angles
and wrists straight and parallel to keyboard

• Operate for long periods without a break
– take short breaks often

• Sit upright with back fully supported

• Sit without adequate back support, your feet
off the floor or leg room restricted

• Position screen and work to minimise eye and
head movement
• Use document holder and footrest where
necessary

• Work with reflected light on the screen
• Restrict movement – keep work area tidy

• Report persistent aches and pains
• Remember that the company only has a legal
responsibility to assist with the cost of eye
tests and corrective lenses if you have been
assessed as a ‘USER’ – ask your Manager/
Supervisor for details.

Personal protective equipment
Personal protective equipment will be provided free of charge and replaced as necessary. It should
be used as protection of last resort with other protective measures taken first.

• Sign for issue and replacement of all personal
protective equipment provided
• Wear equipment at all times when carrying
out the process for which it is required, or
within designated areas
• Take care of it and report any damage or loss
to your Manager/Supervisor
• Clean, maintain and store it in accordance
with manufacturer’s instructions
• Use protective equipment as instructed and
trained

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Employee Safety Handbook

• Misuse protective equipment
• Use someone else’s protective equipment
• Take protective equipment off the premises
unless authorised to do so
• Launder potentially contaminated protective
clothing at home

Misuse of racking systems can cause collapse and result in serious accidents.

• Regularly inspect goods stored on racking
and report unstable loads, those that are not
appropriately secured with banding or shrink
wrapped

• Exceed safe working loads of racking systems
• Place pallets on racking systems that are not
suitable, damaged or inadequate for the
system on which they are placed

• Check that safety pins are in place
• Place heavier loads at low level
• Ensure loads on racking are stable and that
loose goods are shrink wrapped or banded

Employee Safety Handbook

General health and safety guidance

Racking

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Road transport

Priority health and safety issues

All company vehicles should be operated safely. Great care should be taken when reversing vehicles.
Preferably this should be under the direction of trained banksmen.

• Drive or operate lifting equipment unless
trained and authorised in writing to do so

• Check loads are secure before commencing
a journey

• Exceed permitted load or speed limits
appropriate to the conditions

• Ensure reversing operations are under control
of trained banksman

• Move vehicles with lashings removed

• Use markers on long/wide loads
• Exercise care when releasing ropes and chains
• Keep clear of loads in slings and elevated
tipper bodies
• Warn other road users using cones or
warning triangles when making a delivery on
dangerous stretches of road
• When entering or leaving cab, or climbing
on and off trailers, always use step and grab
handles provided. Check shoe soles are
clean and not likely to cause slip accidents
• Plan road journeys and keep to speed limits
• Remove keys when leaving vehicles

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• Stand behind a reversing vehicle

Employee Safety Handbook

• Drive defective vehicles
• Drive without an appropriate licence e.g. LGV
• Drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs
or when you are ill
• Use mobile phones whilst driving
• Block fire exit routes
• Jump down from cabs, trailers, off loads or
cranes
• Smoke in cab

• Undertake daily check of equipment for leaks
and damage before use
• Before operation of crane undertake risk
assessment and ensure risk controls are
adequate
• Plan and organise lifts
• Check overhead for obstructions before
raising crane, materials secure, load does not
pass over persons, onlookers clear etc.
• Use stabiliser legs/outriggers on both sides
where possible. Stand square and use both
hands to pull out stabiliser legs/outriggers.
Readjust as necessary as vehicle load lightens
when unloading
• Ensure crane controls are free from
obstruction, e.g., that the seat is not in the
way of any levers before powering up the
crane

• Use the vehicle crane unless you are
conversant with safe working procedures/
operating instructions and climb without using
steps provided
• Exceed safe working capacity of the crane
- This means knowing the weight of the load
• Operate lifting equipment unless it has a
valid certificate of test
• Use faulty or damaged equipment
• Raise the lifting mast in the vicinity of
overhead cables or structures
• Climb above ground level without wearing a
hard hat
• Pull out stabilisers/outriggers from the side
with your body twisted
• Move vehicle without checking stabiliser/
outrigger landing legs are raised and locked

• Carry out operation on firm, level ground and
use supports under stabiliser legs/outriggers

• Operate crane unless sitting or standing in
the correct operating position

• Operate controls smoothly to avoid jerking of
crane

• Walk or stand under a suspended load

• Keep constant watch for faulty hoses or seals

Priority health and safety issues

Vehicle mounted cranes

• Under any circumstances, climb from the
vehicle/trailer

• Check crane is secured to the bed of the
trailer with straps at end of operation and
before moving off
• Check stabiliser legs/outriggers are retracted
and locked. Walk around and check vehicle
before moving off
• Wear appropriate safety boots, hard hot,
gloves and fluorescent vest
• Climb on and off vehicle/trailer platform
using the steps or ladder provided
• Take care climbing up and down from crane
control platforms using handles and steps
provided

• Leave sufficient space between stacks for safe
operation of equipment
• Insert sufficient binding sticks between sets of
timber
• Securely band sets of material
• Ensure stacks are stable and only one set
high in self selection areas

• Stack timber and sheet materials above a
safe working height (normally 4 sets high in
exposed stock yards)
• Use damaged or inadequate pallets
• Stack bricks or blocks more than three packs
high
• “Pick the middle” out of stacks of brick
products leaving them liable to collapse
• Place combustibles against the side of
buildings
• Stack loose materials at height where it may
fall or be blown off
• Stack any materials adjacent to boundaries
higher than the fence

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Employee Safety Handbook

Petrol fumes are particularly dangerous and can easily start fires.

• Lock fuel points at the end of the day
• Empty fuel tanks only by using a specially
designed fuel retriever
• Empty and remove fuel tanks if welding work
is required near them
• Inform your Manager/Supervisor if a fuel tank
requires repair
• Only keep small quantities of fuel oil
within the workplace in specific marked
containers
• Ensure bulk quantities are contained in
enclosed tanks

• Attempt to repair any fuel tank - this is a
specialist job
• Drain fuel from a tank by letting it run into an
open container
• Weld or flame-cut near a fuel tank
• Use a naked light or bar heater near fuel
• Smoke, eat or drink in the working area
• Use a mobile phone near fuel
• Use fuelling equipment unless authorised to
do so

General health and safety guidance

Vehicle fuel (Petrol/Diesel/Gas Oil)

Work equipment – Hand tools
Hand tools should always be well cared for and checked before use.

• Keep tools clean and properly sharpened

• Use defective tools

• Protect cutting edges when not in use

• Use vibrating power tools for long

• Use safety glasses or goggles when using
chisels

• Misuse tools

• Report any numbness, blanching or tingling
in fingers

• Leave tools lying around, particularly in
places where they might fall onto people or
machinery
• Use chisels with mushroomed heads - people
have lost eyes when metal has flown off

Employee Safety Handbook

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General health and safety guidance

Work equipment – Machinery
Adverse health effects can also arise from noise, vibration and dust generated during operations.

• Use work equipment only for its intended
purpose
• Only use work equipment provided you have
received appropriate information, instruction
and training
• Check guards are in place and that
emergency stop controls operate before
using work equipment
• Wear personal protective equipment as
instructed
• Report any damaged or defective machinery
to your Manager/Supervisor
• Keep floor areas clear and free from slip/trip
hazards
• Switch off and ‘isolate’ machinery for
maintenance at end of work period and
when not in use
• If under 18 ensure your are supervised by an
authorised person
• Ensure the dust extraction system is
connected and working

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Employee Safety Handbook

• Operate work equipment unless appropriately
trained, certificated and authorised
to do so
• Operate work equipment unless all guards
and safety devices are in place
• Clean or adjust work equipment unless it is
isolated and stationary
• Wear loose clothing or bracelets
• Leave moving work equipment unattended

I have read and understood the employee handbook and do not have any further questions at this
time.
I understand I have a legal duty to work safely at all times and to report any dangerous situation to
my Manager/Supervisor without delay.
Issued by (signature of trainer)_______________________________________ Date:________________
Received by (signature of employee)__________________________________ Date:________________

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About PPE
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided as protection of last resort where all other health and
safety measures are inadequate, or where there is a need for supplementary protection.
The company provides PPE free of charge and will replace worn or damaged PPE as is necessary.
Appropriate accommodation facilities are provided for the equipment.
You should inform your Supervisor or Line Manager:
• If in your opinion insufficient protection is provided by the PPE issued
• Where you believe the PPE fails to perform, is contaminated, damaged and requires replacement.
It is your responsibility to use PPE in line with information, instruction and training provided including
manufacturer’s instructions.
You should treat PPE with care, and wash, clean and store the equipment as directed.